A rare fungus killed a Wisconsin woman, showing just how deadly this disease really is.
Sonya Crus from Ketnosha left her family heartbroken after she died due to the Blastomyces; an unusual fungus that can cause severe illness and even death.
Rare Fungus Kills Wisconsin Woman
A scientist observes a fungus sample (trametes cingulata) from Africa in a laboratory at the INRA (National Institute of Agronomic Research) in Marseille, southern France, on February 13, 2014. The enzymes of trametes cingulata are mainly studied for the production of second-generation biofuels.
According to Fox News' latest report, the deadly fungus that Sonya contracted can release spores when disturbed.
These spores can cause severe illnesses and even lead to death.
"My life. They took my life away from me. I'm not saying the hospital or whoever. Whatever this is, took my wife," said Sonya's husband, John Cruz.
"I can walk out here and swallow a bullet, not literally a bullet, but a bullet of that," he added.
John didn't really know anything about the rare fungus until her wife died after contracting it.
Because of this, he said that "this is something" the world should know about.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that Wisconsin is the U.S. state with the most Blastomyces cases; with 2.1 cases in every 100,000 Americans.
The Wisconsin Department of Health also stated that the state had over 1,140 cases, with 116 cases per year between 2011 and 2020.
CDC warned that the rare fungus is found in other south-central, southeastern, and Midwestern states in the U.S.
Can You Avoid This Deadly Fungus?
A villager displays the Chinese caterpillar fungus he dug at a mountain on May 17, 2005 in Yongchuan of Chongqing Municipality, China. Chinese caterpillar fungus is also called Cordyceps Sinensis Mushroom. The plant multiplies specially by fungus parasiting into some insects larvae, forming hypha and maturing outside the larva. The fungus exists in mountains and meadows with an altitude of 3000 to 5000 meter.
Via its official website, CDC explained that the Blastomyces are found in wooded areas, disturbed soil, and moist soil.
This is why people who love to go camping, hiking or just being with nature are at higher risk of contracting the deadly fungus.
CDC warned that individuals who have weakened immune systems are likely to contract the disease and develop severe blastomycosis compared to those with great health.
The health agency explained that blastomycosis doesn't spread through physical contact or air.
Instead, the fungus can infect one living thing to another through sexual contact, bites, injuries, and needlestick.
As of press time, there's no vaccine to protect humans from this rare fungus. CDC also said that it may be impossible to avoid being exposed to Blastomyces since the fungus is living in areas that people usually visit to relax.
If you love to hike or camp, the best thing you can do is avoid getting any injury by wearing long and thick pants, as well as other protective gear.
It would be best to avoid physical intimacy with your partner. To learn more about this rare fungus, you can click this link.
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